Committing mail fraud is a crime with severe penalties in Florida, where three South Florida workers are facing fraud charges over a kickback scheme. Their job duties allowed the men to allegedly conspire to commit mail and wire fraud when one man worked as a superintendent at Calder Race Course in Miami Gardens. The alleged criminal actions resulted in the theft of millions of dollars, according to a report from the Department of Justice.

These mail fraud charges are the result of being caught up in a kickback scheme involving expensive chemical orders. Chemicals were ordered and paid for by the men, two of whom worked for a Florida chemical supply company. About 80 percent of chemicals ordered were never delivered and the three men split the money, according to DOJ charges. In addition, they are suspected of tax evasion and failure to report income.

A position of authority carries a great responsibility for that person to behave in an honest manner, especially when huge sums of cash are involved. In this economy there are many financial temptations which can have very serious consequences, including up to 25 years in prison for these suspects. It would allegedly have been easy for the suppliers to work with the person making orders, and for many of those orders to become hidden. Cash for non-delivered orders amounted to millions. This crime may have involved other contractors still under investigation.

A criminal defense lawyer is the right person to have on the suspect's side during a legal investigation that can result in loss of freedom. Not everyone involved in this crime may have had awareness of the crime; this can only be sorted out with careful investigation into the evidence. If you are suspected of mail fraud or other serious criminal charges, call for help from an experienced criminal defense lawyer right away to preserve all your rights.

Source: NBC Miami, "Three South Florida Men Face Fraud Charges for Allegedly Stealing Millions," Karen Franklin, Feb. 3, 2012